and how good would the games involving Scotland, Ireland, Afghanistan, Zimbabwe be if you had the likes Kerry O keefe livening things up a bit?
This, this, THIS! x 100. I miss Kerry. Him and Harsha Bhogle always made a good commentary pair every time India toured Australia. One of MANY classic moments:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmwRCMCd2b8
Missed opportunity for ESPN/Star Sports. I know Kerry hasn't done tv commentary for at least a decade time since the days when Ch9 broadcasted the ING Cup on Saturdays and Sundays, but still...he would've made group matches such as Afghanistan vs Scotland and Ireland vs UAE interesting viewing.
Also, Bill Lawry...I know he has significantly cut down his commentary duties over the past two summers, only calling the Boxing Day test at the MCG. The MCG only hosts 5 games in the World Cup, it couldn't have been that hard to allow Bill just to call those 5 games (just like 5 days of the Boxing Day test). Given he is one of the most respected voices in cricket broadcasting, his addition would've added a real edge to the telecast of this World Cup.
Agree 100% on your last paragraph undertaker (actually agree with most other things you say as well)
I guess money to be made from pay tv is probably a big reason from the circa 1992 of live free to air coverages.
They really should have looked at (the very least) a nightly 2 hour show to catch the last 20-25 overs of a game played that day. during the coverage they could show highlights of what happened during the day. 8.30pm - 10.30pm? on GEM, would also have time to chat about the game ahead the following day.
I should have access to Foxtel so ill be ok, but agree a WORLD CUP in our backyard deserves better free to air coverage than just Australian games
I understand that the television landscape has changed a hell of a lot since the last World Cup. As you said, no PayTV in Australia back in 1992 (there was in New Zealand, but cricket still remained on FTA until the late '90s). And yes, I also understand it's a big bonus for those with Foxtel to have access to all World Cup matches in HD. However, Ch9 only broadcasting matches involving Australia - and it being our first home World Cup for 23 years - would've never, ever happened if good old KP was still alive. He would've never allowed that to happen, and he would be spinning in his grave to see just how far things have deteriorated at Ch9 over the past decade.
It was in 2007/08 that all of a sudden, after nearly 3 decades of televising neutral matches every summer (even in 79/80, 96/97 and 2001/02 when Australia didn't make the finals of the tri-series), Ch9 saw no merit in televising matches that didn't involve Australia. I remember Fox Sports had to pick up the crumbs and televise India vs Sri Lanka in Canberra at the last minute because Ch9 didn't want to touch it with a 50ft pole, and it was this decision from Ch9 that led to the cancellation of the tri-series ODI tournament format and instead, was exchanged with these meaningless 5-7 ODI bilateral series which we've had since 2008/09 (with the exception of 2011/12 and this summer, when India toured Australia. However, next summer will return back to a bilateral series). It is a common myth perpetuated by Ch9 that fans have pretty much no interest in matches where Australia isn't playing. They may not have got sell-outs at the major test venues, but they were still well attended (even the 96/97 and 2001/02 finals matches at the SCG both got over 30k, more than what ODIs involving Australia at the SCG have got over the past 5 years), and would be very well attended if those neutral matches were taken outside of the city to regional areas.
And I agree with you about how ridiculous it is there is no extensive coverage from Ch9. It seems like they just are showing their matches and that's it. No highlights package, or any other analysis/cricket related shows on GEM. During the 2003 RUWC in Australia, Ch7 had a late night Rugby show hosted by Roy and HG. Even if Ch9 didn't want a serious analytical show, something with a low budget to produce a show like Roy and HG's - light-hearted, yet at the same time promoting the sport - is something Ch9 could've easily done (there are plenty of other members on this forum who could come up with some great ideas for a World Cup cricket show that would leave the employees in Ch9's (sports) programming department for dead)
